Edmonton Notes for 3/6/2011

Don’t forget I post Edmonton-related items throughout the week at Edmonton Etcetera. Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• It was another big arena-filled news week here in Edmonton, with the latest City Council meeting on the project taking place on Wednesday (check out the archived liveblog from The Charrette). Mayor Mandel implored his colleagues to just make a decision, feeling that the project has gone on too long.
• Here’s a really well-written article on the proposed downtown arena from Gary Lamphier. It’s getting difficult to find the good stuff, because the arena is so often in the news lately!
• The City Market announced this week that it will be open at City Hall for ten consecutive Saturdays beginning March 12. That’ll bring it to the summer season and its return to 104 Street.
• Taylor Hall is out for the season after injuring his ankle in his first NHL fight. By the way, have you seen the Oilers This Week page? Very nice.
• We’ve had some snow again lately. The City apparently spent more than half of its $42 million annual snow removal budget in January alone.
• Dr. Robert Wolkow and his research team at the National Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Alberta have won a place in the Guinness World Records for creating a microscope tip that’s only as wide as an atom. Very cool stuff.
• Scona Road will be closed entirely from May to November this year as the City works to rehabilitate sidewalks, gutters, and roadways.
• In a speech on Wednesday, Premier Ed Stelmach announced that the final leg of the Anthony Henday has been given the green light. Anthony Henday Drive Northeast will be Alberta’s single biggest construction project to date.
• Interesting article on public involvement here in Edmonton. Apparently there were about 380 consultations last year. There’s incredible room to improve. I hope the Centre for Public Involvement can finally get around to doing something now.
• The University of Alberta, MacEwan University, NAIT, and NorQuest College have all signed an agreement to share resources in the event of an emergency or disaster.
• Have you noticed an increase in the number of unexpected LRT disruptions lately? Councillor Iveson has made a formal inquiry into the issue.
• They may not be getting winter tires, but Edmonton Police are going to be receiving new snow pants after signing a contract worth $250,000.
• Here’s a great feature on Bretta Gerecke, a star of Edmonton’s theatre scene.
• The City of Edmonton’s Office of the City Auditor received top marks in an external audit. But who will audit the auditors?
• For more headlines from the past week, check out theedmontonian.com.
• Capital City Clean Up is looking for Edmonton students to come up with a marketing campaign! The Dream Up a Clean Up contest is open until April 1.
• Passenger statistics at the International airport remained steady at 6.1 million in 2010. You can see the year-end report in PDF here.
• Be sure to check out my recap of Edmonton’s ninth Pecha Kucha Night.
• Queen of Tarts on 104 Street is now open! Enjoy!
• There are still five spots available in the new Arts Hub building on 118 Avenue.
• The 2011 California Wine Fair takes place on Tuesday evening. Check out Sharon’s blog for a sneak peek.
• Edmonton’s annual Coin Show and Sale is happening next weekend at Century Casino.
• Hunchback launched at The Citadel on Saturday. It runs until the 27th.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

A window on Edmonton that you don’t often see. Wonderful! By amber_rsm.